Key St. John’s basketball addition Donnie Freeman will miss 2026-27 season after ruptured Achilles injury

The Red Storm were dealt a heavy blow to this upcoming season’s roster as the calendar flipped to July.

Head coach Rick Pitino announced on Wednesday evening that key offseason acquisition and Syracuse transfer Donnie Freeman will be out for the 2026-27 season after suffering an Achilles tendon injury in an offseason workout that required surgery. Pitino did not reveal the severity of the injury or the timetable for Freeman’s return.

“Donnie Freeman had successful Achilles tendon surgery performed by Dr. Martin O’Malley,” Pitino posted on his Twitter/X account on Wednesday, “Donnie had a non-contact injury in a workout and will miss the season. Donnie is an awesome young man, we will get him back better than ever!”

Freeman committed to St. John’s back in April and was considered one of the Red Storm’s premier offseason signings, ranking as the 15th-best prospect in this year’s transfer portal by 247 Sports. Last season, the Syracuse transfer averaged a team-high 16.5 points and 7.2 rebounds and earned an All-ACC honorable mention nod.

This Achilles injury is the latest in a series of setbacks during Freeman’s collegiate career. The 6-foot-9 forward missed 28 games in his two seasons at Syracuse due to multiple lower-leg injuries.

Without Freeman, more of the offensive burden will be placed on the returning Ian Jackson and incoming top transfer Tounde Yessoufou. The Red Storm will also look toward one of their frontcourt newcomers, Babacar Sane, Djordije Jovanovic, and Lazar Stojkovic to fill in the power forward void.